Brianna LaPaglia Admits Her DMs were ‘Popping Off’ After Her ‘SI Swimsuit’ Shoot Dropped (Exclusive)

Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia says her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit digital cover was so popular that it made lots of fans — and interested suiters — take to her DMs to compliment her.

Speaking with PEOPLE exclusively on the red carpet at the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit launch party in New York City on Thursday, May 15, the 25-year-old podcaster opened up about her digital cover that spawned tons of DMs.

“They were popping off. They’re fine,” she joked, before opening up about her dating life.

“I really genuinely enjoy being single,” LaPaglia added. “I think there’s a lot of girls that can relate and a lot of guys that can relate that are relationship people. I was in a relationship since I was 16 until 25. Being single for the first time ever is frigging awesome. I can order Taco Bell whenever, I can do whatever I want to do. I can go out, I can hang out with my friends. It’s really fun. I feel like I’m figuring out who I am.”

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LaPaglia’s confirmation that she’s single comes six months after her split from musician Zach Bryan in October 2024. She’s been vocal about how the relationship has impacted her emotionally and physically in the months that followed.

Now, she’s “in the era of discovering,” the content creator told PEOPLE.

“I feel like I’m in that time zone where it’s like discover who you are, try new things and also leave a lot of negative things in the past,” she explained. “So I’m just trying to figure out who the hell I am — and it’s fun!”

“It shouldn’t be discouraging,” LaPaglia added. I feel like we get to a certain age and we’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, there should be time marks and things for what we should do.’ I think there’s no time limit, and I’m just trying to figure it out.”

For the Barstool star, this summer will have a lot more going on outside of dating.

“I think this summer is friendship summer,” she shared. “I think for the past couple of years I took for granted my family and my friends, and this year I just want to worry about my best friends and just have fun.”

LaPaglia made her debut in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in January this year. The social media star — who made a name for herself as “Brianna Chickenfry” online — was photographed by Katherine Goguen in La Quinta, Calif., late last year. She wears a number of teeny-tiny swimsuits in her debut for the outlet, posing all over the beach with her tattoos on display and her hair in soft waves.

She told Sports Illustrated Swimsuit earlier this year that for 2025, she’s looking forward to focusing more on podcasts and less on TikTok and influencer life, especially with the looming ban. She’s ready to see TikTok go, anyway.

“How I’m feeling right now is I’m like, pop a bottle of champagne!” she joked to the outlet. “Let’s get rid of this horrible, hateful app.”